Linking Yee's votes to donations

State Sen. Leland Yee repeatedly told an undercover FBI agent he did not engage in "pay to play" politics, but he "never walked away from quid pro quo requests" made by the agent and accepted cash payments, according to an FBI affidavit. A Chronicle review of Yee's voting record in the state Assembly and Senate show several instances where his votes could be seen as counter to the best interests of his constituents, after which he received major donations. Read the full story.

Introduce competition into the wholesale gasoline market and prohibit oil companies from dictating prices for set areas.

In May 2003, Yee voted against the bill in committee.

It was defeated in committee by a 3-4 vote.

For more than a year before the vote, Yee's only campaign contribution from oil interests was $250 from a Shell gas station owner. Starting the month after the vote, Yee received $30,000 in campaign contributions over the next six years from oil and gas interests and companies that had strongly opposed the bill.

The Chronicle, in a May 8, 2003, editorial, noted that Bay Area motorists, who pay among the nation's highest gas prices, are obvious targets of "zone pricing" by the major oil refiners.

SB700

Impose state air pollution regulation on farm equipment.

In August 2003, Yee voted against it and proposed looser regulations.

After heavy criticism and some concessions to farms, Yee reversed and voted for the bill, which passed and was signed into law.

Starting the month after Yee's votes, agricultural interests donated almost $29,500 to his campaign committees over the next nine months.

The Chronicle, in an Aug. 22, 2003, editorial, said Yee "was doing the dirty work for farm lobbyists and nervous Democratic leaders loath to pass a bill opposed by powerful agricultural interests."

AB881

Regulate the cost of prescription drugs.

In January 2004, Yee voted against the bill in committee.

The bill died in committee on 6-10 vote.

Yee reported nearly $46,000 in campaign donations from oppo- nents of the bill from April 2004 through 2010.

The bill had been supported by the California Nurses Association and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which argued the high cost of prescription drugs was preventing lifesaving treatment.

SB1397

Levy a fee on railroads for a new emission- reduction program for rail yards in Southern California.

In August 2004, Yee voted against it.

The bill failed in the Assembly on a 28-38 vote.

Yee got $1,000 from BNSF Railway Co. three days before his vote. He received another $21,400 from BNSF and other railways over the next six years.

Supporters of the failed bill said it was needed to meet a federal clean air deadline.

AB319

Ban the chemical BPA from children's products.

In January 2006, Yee voted against it in committee.

The bill fell one vote short and died in committee.

Yee reported receiving $22,450 from chemical companies and their employees from March 2003 to February 2010, including $1,000 from the Dow Chemical Co. three weeks before the vote.

The bill's sponsor, then- Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, D-Oakland, told Asianweek that Yee had "assured" her she had his vote and that she was "blindsided."

AB514

Prohibit workplace use of the chemical diacetyl, which has been linked to serious respiratory illness.

In September 2007, Yee voted against the bill. In August 2008, he abstained from voting on it.

It died in the Senate.

Yee reported receiving more than $69,000 from chemical companies and others opposed to the bill from 2003 to 2010, including $26,550 after he first voted against it.

The chemical is used in the production of microwave popcorn and other snack foods and has been linked to respiratory illness, including severe lung disease. Some employees have been placed on waiting lists for lung transplants.

AB1554

Regulate health insurance rate increases.

In July 2007, Yee abstained from voting on it in committee.

It died in committee.

Yee reported receiving more than $116,000 from health insurance companies and providers, who were opposed to the bill, from March 2003 to 2010.

Yee also reported receiving a $330 dinner in September 2007 from an opponent of the bill, the Association of California Life & Health Insurance.

AB1945

Prohibit insurance carriers from rescinding a patient's coverage unless there was fraud.

In August 2008, Yee was the only Bay Area legislator to vote against the bill.

Yee reported receiving more than $116,000 from health insurance companies and providers from March 2003 to 2010, including $10,360 in the three months before the vote.

Yee also reported receiving a $330 dinner in September 2007 from an opponent of the bill, the Association of California Life & Health Insurance.